Louise Franklin

Last updated

Louise Franklin
Louise Franklin.jpg
Born
Other namesBeau
Bo
Occupation(s)Actress, Dancer
Years active19351958
Spouse Lee Young
Children1
Parent
  • Viola Franklin (mother)

Louise Franklin, nicknamed Beau [1] and Bo, [2] was an American dancer and actress active during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. From childhood, she was interested in various forms of dance and also practiced as an actress before starring in vaudeville roles with Bryon Ellis as the duo "Bryon and Beau". Her film roles afterwards primarily saw her dance in various productions both in media and on stage and occasionally starred as a well dressed and well spoken love interest to the male lead, such as when cast alongside Eddie "Rochester" Anderson.

Contents

Career

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, [3] to mother Viola Franklin, [4] Franklin was involved in multiple areas of dance as a child, including ballet and tap dancing, along with taking acting classes. [3]

Her vaudeville career saw her partner with Bryon Ellis under the name "Bryon and Beau" after having been a member of the Cotton Club Cuties chorus group. [3] [5] Her 1935 theatre role in School Days alongside Dickie Walker had the California Eagle refer to the pair's performance as akin to Aurora Greely and Leroy Broomfield. [6] That same year she signed onto Maceo Burch's Kansas City theatre company and was said to "possibly be called the leader of the group" by the California Eagle due to her talents as an entertainer. [7] After the company toured in California, she stayed and played in a number of film and stage roles in the following years. Harry Levette in the California Eagle said she was "Hollywood's prettiest, cleverest, most personable dancer". [8] In 1943 during World War II, she reportedly joined the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, though this was denied by her husband. [9]

After Dorothy Dandridge was injured in a car accident, Franklin had to fill in for her primary dancing role in the 1945 film Pillar to Post in extended music scenes in order to conceal the cuts between the two actresses. [10] Her cast role as Rochester's girlfriend in Brewster's Millions after her previous high profile acting roles had the director praise her as a "real find". [11] As bonus for her acting quality in the 1945 film Crime Incorporated , the director gifted her with a box of then expensive cigarettes from Franklin's favorite brand after she completed her final scene. [12]

She continued her tours with Bryon Ellis under the "Bryon and Beau" name in 1948, doing a theatre tour across the Eastern United States in late August of that year. [5] She was cast as Louise Ritchie in the 1949 film Look-Out Sister alongside Louis Jordan and was noted by the Alabama Tribune as being "one of the screen's best dancers". [13] Lloyd Binford, film censor for Memphis, Tennessee, banned films showing Franklin and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson from the city because he disliked African Americans being portrayed as "well-dressed, intelligent acting sweethearts" in films. [14] She competed in the 1954 Miss Brew 102 competition and, while not victorious, received attention and more television acting opportunities afterwards. [2] [15]

Filmography

Theatre

Personal life

Franklin was married to singer and jazz drummer Lee Young, [36] and they had a son together. [37]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iris Adrian</span> American actress (1912–1994)

Iris Adrian Hostetter was an American stage and film actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louise Beavers</span> American actress (1900–1962)

Louise Beavers was an American film and television actress who appeared in dozens of films and two hit television shows from the 1920s to 1960. She played a prominent role in advancing the lives of Black Americans through her work and collaborated with fellow advocates to improve the social standing and media image of the Black population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer Holt</span> American actress (1920–1997)

Jennifer Holt was an American actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellen Drew</span> American actress (1914–2003)

Ellen Drew was an American film actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weldon Heyburn</span> American actor (1903–1951)

Weldon Heyburn was an American character actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruby Dandridge</span> American actress (1900–1987)

Ruby Jean Dandridge was an American actress from the early 1900s through to the late 1950s. Dandridge is best known for her role on the radio show Amos 'n Andy, in which she played Sadie Blake and Harriet Crawford, and on radio's Judy Canova Show, in which she played Geranium. She is recognized for her role in the 1959 movie A Hole in the Head as Sally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joan Marsh</span> American actress (1914–2000)

Joan Marsh was an American child actress in silent films between 1915 and 1921. Later, during the sound era, she resumed her acting career and performed in a variety of films during the 1930s and 1940s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dorothea Kent</span> American actress (1916–1990)

Dorothea Kent was an American film actress. She appeared in more than 40 films between 1935 and 1948. A former model, she often played dumb sidekicks of the heroine, and rarely played the lead. In addition to her credited roles, she also had roles in six other films, including her last role in the 1948 film The Babe Ruth Story.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joan Woodbury</span> American actress (1915–1989)

Joan Elmer Woodbury was an American actress beginning in the 1930s and continuing well into the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kay Linaker</span> American actress and screenwriter (1913–2008)

Mary Katherine Linaker was an American actress and screenwriter who appeared in many B movies during the 1930s and 1940s, most notably Kitty Foyle (1940) starring Ginger Rogers. Linaker used her married name, Kate Phillips, as a screenwriter, notably for the cult movie hit The Blob (1958). She is credited with coining the name "The Blob" for the movie, which was originally titled "The Molten Meteor".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbara Jo Allen</span> American actress (1906–1974)

Barbara Jo Allen was an American actress. She was also known as Vera Vague, the spinster character she created and portrayed on radio and in films during the 1940s and 1950s. She based the character on a woman she had seen delivering a PTA literature lecture in a confused manner. As Vague, she popularized the catchphrase "You dear boy!"

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramsay Ames</span> American actress (1919–1998)

Ramsay Ames was a leading 1940s American B movie actress, model, dancer, pin-up girl and television hostess. As a dancer, she was billed as Ramsay D'el Rico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olive Blakeney</span> American actor (1894–1959)

Olive Blakeney was an American actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fay Helm</span> American actress (1909–2003)

Fay Helm was an American film actress. Born in Bakersfield, California, she appeared in about 65 films between 1936 and 1946. She is perhaps better known for films like A Child is Born (1939), Phantom Lady (1944), Lady in the Dark (1944) and Sister Kenny (1946).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosemary LaPlanche</span> American actress (1923–1979)

Rosemary E. LaPlanche was an American beauty queen and actress. She won Miss California three years in a row (1939–1941), and won Miss America in 1941.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harry Allen (actor)</span> Australian-American actor

Harry Allen was an Australian-born American character actor of the silent and sound film eras. He was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Allen's World War One registration card gives his date of birth as 10 July, 1876 and confirms his place of birth as Melbourne, although at least one obituary gives the later birth year of 1883.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bette Treadville</span> American singer and actress

Bette Treadville was an American singer and actress, based in Los Angeles, California.

Look-Out Sister is a 1949 film featuring Louis Jordan. Directed by Bud Pollard, it is a satirical, Western-themed musical and "horse opera". The film was produced by Astor Pictures. John E. Gordon wrote the story. The film remains in existence and is available online.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anise Boyer</span> American dancer and actress

Anise Margaret Boyer (1914–2008) was an American dancer and actress known for her work during the Harlem Renaissance. She joined the Cotton Club chorus line when she was a teenager and starred in the 1932 film Harlem is Heaven. She also danced in the duo Anise and Åland, travelling extensively with Cab Calloway's band. She retired from the entertainment industry in 1948.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lillian Yarbo</span> American actress, dancer and singer (1905–1996)

Lillian "Billie" Yarbo was an American stage and screen actress, dancer, and singer.

References

  1. "Stars, Celebrities To Appear At Premiere". California Eagle . January 27, 1949. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 Rowe, Izzy (December 18, 1954). "Out West They're Talking About". The Pittsburgh Courier . Archived from the original on August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 3 Levette, Harry (October 12, 1951). "Louise Franklin". The Call . Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  4. King, Leontyne (December 13, 1947). "Thrilling News". The Pittsburgh Courier . Archived from the original on August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 "Tops In Terpsichorean Art". California Eagle . August 5, 1948. Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  6. 1 2 "Behind the Scenes with Harry". California Eagle . August 23, 1935. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Company Of K. C. Artists Here". California Eagle . August 2, 1935. Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  8. Levette, Harry (June 3, 1943). "Verbal Gasps, Point Rationed". California Eagle . Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Denies Film Dancer Will Join WAACs". The Pittsburgh Courier . June 26, 1943. Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  10. 1 2 Levette, Harry (September 16, 1944). "Scene Saved As Louise Take Over For Injured Dandridge". Jackson Advocate . Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Louise Franklin Plays Rochester's Girl In Film". The Daily Bulletin . September 18, 1944. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  12. "Louise Franklin Gets Cigarets As Bonus". The Daily Bulletin . November 21, 1944. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  13. 1 2 Levette, Harry (April 9, 1948). "20 Hollywood Bathing Beauties Star With Louis Jordan". Alabama Tribune . Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  14. Levette, Harry (June 21, 1957). "Talk of the Week". The Call . Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  15. Levette, Harry (July 3, 1954). "This Is Hollywood - Louise Franklin". The New York Age . Archived from the original on August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  16. Daniels, George (September 26, 1952). ""See How They Run"". The Call . Archived from the original on August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  17. Levette, Harry (September 28, 1951). "Gossip on the Movie Lots". The Call . Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Murray, Florence, ed. (1947). The Negro Handbook 1946-1947. Macmillan Inc. p. 265.
  19. Larry Richards (2015). African American Films Through 1959: A Comprehensive, Illustrated Filmography. McFarland & Company. p. 123. ISBN   9781476610528. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  20. "Newcomer Doubles For Dot Dandridge In "Pillar To Post"". The Pittsburgh Courier . September 16, 1944. Archived from the original on August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  21. "Louise Franklin Plays Rochester's Girl In New Film". The Detroit Tribune . September 23, 1944. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  22. "Pattie McDaniel, Huge Cast Finish "Thank Your Lucky Stars"". California Eagle . November 19, 1942. Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 Levette, Harry (January 22, 1943). "Favorite Chorus Girl". California Eagle . Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  24. "600 Extras In Universal's "Her's To Hold"". California Eagle . June 3, 1943. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  25. Levette, Harry (April 2, 1942). "Ink Spots In "Pardon My Sarong" At Universal". California Eagle . Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  26. "Big Cast In "Take My Life"". California Eagle . April 3, 1941. Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  27. "Quest for Girls, Women Exhausts Screen Guild List". California Eagle . April 23, 1942. Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  28. "Rowe's Notebook: Ralph Cooper". The Pittsburgh Courier . January 30, 1943. Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  29. Levette, Harry (December 7, 1940). "Gossip of the Movie Lots". The Phoenix Index . Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  30. "'Lady Luck', Dixie National Comedy, Gets Under Way". California Eagle . July 18, 1940. Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  31. Gordon Jr., Walter L. (2019). "Entertainer Louise Franklin, star of Sweet and Hot, Los Angeles, 1940s". digital.library.ucla.edu. UCLA Library. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  32. Levette, Harry (March 9, 1946). "New Play Is Great Show". The Detroit Tribune . Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  33. "Noble Sissle Brings Harlem To Hollywood, So Say Coast Scribes". The Pittsburgh Courier . March 27, 1943. Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  34. "Dancers". The Los Angeles Times . July 27, 1941. Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  35. "Behind the Scenes with Harry: Club Alabam". California Eagle . September 13, 1935. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  36. Rowe, Billy (November 4, 1944). "Billy Rowe's Notebook". The Pittsburgh Courier . Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  37. Gipson, Gertrude (October 23, 1947). "Cannin' The News Ticker Tape". California Eagle . Archived from the original on August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023 via Newspapers.com.